Deming-Luna-Mimbres Museum has managed to keep a long-standing tradition in Luna County flourishing. The museum's annual Green Tea events is from 1:30-4 p.m. on Saturday and the public is invited to this open house.

Located at 301 S. Silver Avenue, in the historic National Guard Armory, the museum volunteers have been working hard in preparing for museum's main fundraiser of the year.

The first open house was held on September 23, 1955. It was formed by a group of society ladies of that era. At that time, it was called the "Silver Tea," for its donations being offered in the currency of silver coins.

Today, green money is the chosen color for donations, thus the title change to the "Green Tea."

This year the public can expect to see on display six beautiful Christmas trees of all shapes, sizes and styles. One tree sets outside the museum on the platform above the outside stairs. Over 1,200 lights shine upon the tree until midnight each night through the holiday season.

"Although this is a free event, this is our biggest fundraiser of the year for the museum,' Director of the museum Virginia Pool said. "We are asking for greenback donations."

One tree stands tall in the center of the art gallery wing of the museum. Two beautiful trees adorn the downstairs and two trees are on display in the new remodeled upstairs of the museum.

Ruben Zamudio of Baca's Funeral Chapel in Deming and Toby Soderberg, a teacher at the Deming interMediate School, donated many hours stringing new lights upon each of the six trees.

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Zamudio and Soderberg were assisted by fellow volunteers.

Catering for the event is provided by the museum volunteers who prepare a variety of snacks and refreshments for the public to enjoy. This event is free to the public.

"Like last year, we are expecting 200-plus people to attend this grand event," Pool said. There are so many new displays and things to see this year at our museum. I think the public is going to be quite pleased."